Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week: Brandon Ross

Maryland Athletics

10-17-2013

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Each week during the 2013-14 season a Maryland student-athlete, who has shown excellence on and off the playing field, will be selected as the Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week. This week's Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week is sophomore Brandon Ross of the Maryland football team.

Ross totaled a career-best 169 all-purpose yards in Maryland's 27-26 win over Virginia on Saturday at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium.

By: Katherine O'Toole - Maryland Media Relations Assistant

Coming off a defeat at Florida State, the Maryland football team returned home last weekend looking to bounce back against border-rival Virginia and improve to 5-1.

Sophomore running back Brandon Ross accepted that challenge and had a career game Saturday afternoon against the Cavaliers. Ross ran for 88 yards averaging 6.3 yards per carry and totaled a career-best 169 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in a 27-26 win.

Ross is averaging the second-most all-purpose yards on the team (95.8) and has scored four touchdowns in six games this season, the second-most behind quarterback C.J. Brown’s six.

On Saturday, Ross’ first touchdown gave Maryland the lead, 7-6, in what would be a back-and-forth game. His second touchdown extended that lead to 14-6.

Ross’ impressive performance against Virginia puts him in the Maryland record books. He is the first Maryland player to record at least 75 yards both receiving (86) and rushing (88) in a single game since Oct. 9, 1999. (LaMont Jordan: 89 rushing, 86 receiving at Wake Forest).

The running back’s performance helped the Terps break a three-game losing streak at home against Virginia.

Ross’ three receptions against the Cavaliers accounted for a career-best 81 yards including a catch-and-run for 77 yards that set up the first score. The catch is the longest reception by a Terp this season and is tied for the fifth-longest pass play in the ACC.

In addition, Ross’ run down the field is recorded as the longest non-scoring reception by a Maryland player since Sept. 11, 1993 (Scott Milanovich to Jermaine Lewis for 78 yards at North Carolina).

Ross now ranks seventh in the ACC in rushing with 69.8 yards per game, a team-best average. Last season, he led the team in rushing (390 yards in six games) and averaged 65.0 per game.

Ross and the Terps take on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU looking to improve to 6-1 (2-1 ACC).